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Why I Wear Men’s Shirts to the Gym: Guest Post by Hissy Fit

Since moving to a new city a few months ago, my fitness routine — and my life in general — has drastically changed. And not for the better. After the dust of moving settled, I have simply been astounded at the rampant misogyny that exists here. I was going to say I was “culture shocked,” but that’s too polite. It’s not culture shock. It’s pure old-fashioned sexism. Based on the not-so-random sample of my own experiences and what I have heard and observed, it’s clear that some men here really, really hate women, and will do everything in their power to tear them down.

Let me explain.

Before even moving here, our realtor — whom we had been dealing with on the phone — said she was “so pleased” to work with us because we treated her as an equal. When I inquired what she meant, she said, “Oh, you know, you don’t put me down because I’m a woman. It’s really nice.”

After moving here, I went on three different bike rides. Each time, I was catcalled by random men. “Hey Baby,” “nice tits,” “nice ass,” etc. Two were on bikes, and one was sitting on a bench with other men. It really doesn’t matter what time of day it was or what neighbourhood I was in, but if you’re wondering, it was early afternoon, I was in an affluent neighbourhood, and I was wearing a t-shirt and leggings.

On my first day of work, I walked by a maintenance crew at my worksite. One said to another, “Wouldn’t you like to take her home after work.” I glared. One looked embarassed, the other jeered.

Several times, I have noticed men openly gawking at me. Sometimes they are driving by in trucks. They will slow down, stare at me out their window, and then speed up. Once, my partner caught one doing that (he was out of sight attending to our child.) He was simply astounded.

At the gym — and here I’m getting to my point — I have seen men staring — openly, without even trying to be discreet — at women working out. Once, I was doing pushups and looked up, and there was a man staring directly into my face (or, rather, down my shirt). When I frowned, he waggled his eyebrows up and down.

What is my point here? My point is that certain men here are really, really awful toward women. In public and semi-public places, they feel comfortable remarking on women’s bodies and openly leering at them. In case you’re wondering if I’m being overly sensitive, I’m not. I have lived in seven other cities before. Never have I noticed this level of harassment. Moreover, I am now older. In other words, my level of conventional heterosexual attractiveness has declined.

What have been the consequences? I have changed my routines, my clothes, and my demeanour. No longer do I cycle to work. I drive. No longer do I jog in public. I go to the gym. No longer do I wear wicking sports tanks when exercising. I wear my husband’s baggy cotton t-shirts. For the record, I also wear a ball cap. And, no longer am I “nice” in public. I am stern, focused, and efficient.

I am not pleased about any of this. I am in fact deeply angry that the misogyny that exists here has caused me to restrict my civil liberties, to contribute to further exhaust pollution (vis-a-vis driving), to curtail my enjoyment of the outdoors, to put on my resting “bitch face,” and to even change how I dress. I am also very upset that the sexism in this city has caused other women, such as my realtor, to question their value as professionals and as human beings.

Am I over-reacting? No. Research indicates that targets of street harassment frequently adopt these tactics. It also indicates that the threats of violence contained within catcalls and other forms of intimidation has caused many women to fear for their lives in public. Did you know, for example, that some men use catcalls as a form of “rape-testing”? They will catcall a woman to see if she stays silent, thus demonstrating her suitability as prey (http://www.nancyleong.com/race-2/the-cumulative-effect-of-street-harassment). As a result of my own fears triggered especially by drive-by gawking, I have shopped for a go-pro camera to wear on my bike helmet. I have also looked into whether street harassment is punishable by law. The jury is literally out on this one, with some jurisdictions defending it as “free speech,” and others defining it as assault (http://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1141&context=facpub).

I hope to one day return to my former routines. And maybe even wear a sweat-wicking tank again. But right now I am very busy. And also very tired. Which is why I am engaging in small battles. Like raising awareness online. Eventually I plan to work with community groups here, gathering research on street harassing, and publicizing the consequences. One day, I’d even like to work with schools and agencies on educational campaigns. These are not perfect solutions. But when the alternative is either “ignoring” the hostile displays of male privilege that exist here, as one person suggested, or taking them as “compliments,” as another offered, they are in fact the very least I can do.

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About feministfiguregirl

I am a 51-year-old professor named Lianne McTavish who receives as much satisfaction from working out at the gym as from publishing my academic research. About eight years ago, I decided to combine my two primary identities (scholar/gym rat) to create "Feminist Figure Girl," a fictional character who both analyzes and participates in bodybuilding. I competed in my first figure show in June of 2011, and then wrote a book inspired by the process, published by SUNY Press in February 2015. In this blog I will write about and consider my ongoing research on the body, while regularly making fun of myself. I recommend that you start reading my first post from August 2010 (available on the home page), instead of backwards from the most recent one, in order to get the full FFG effect.

2 thoughts on “Why I Wear Men’s Shirts to the Gym: Guest Post by Hissy Fit”

I don’t know which city you’re in, as I’m fairly new to your blog, but I wouldn’t change my behaviour one bit if I were you. I’d call them on it. If they whistle at you or catcall, answer them back with “still a virgin, huh?” or something else to embarrass them. And if guys stare at them, say “What you staring at, ugly?” If they keep staring try “Haven’t you ever seen a female body before?”

Seriously, call them on it. It’s unacceptable that they’re treating you this way.

As for that maintenance crew at your worksite, report them to their superior for harrassment.

I really feel for you. What you’re going through must be awful. But hiding won’t solve the problem. If you feel unsafe at any time, maybe asking a friend to come jogging with you might also help. But you shouldn’t have to stop because of fucktardery.